Defending Asian Games title not easy: Harendra
NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s hockey coach Harendra Singh feels the defending champions cannot afford to take things easy in next month’s Asian Games even though they are gold medal favourites owing to their highestranked status in the draw.
World No 6 India have been placed in Pool A alongside Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong China, while Pool B comprises Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Thailand and hosts Indonesia. India will open their title defence against Hong Kong China on August 22 followed by Japan (Aug 24), Korea (Aug 26) and Sri Lanka (Aug 28).
“Though we are defending champions, we cannot take any team lightly. I don’t call this an easy group. We must be highly cautious against each of these teams as we have not played against teams like Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka,” Harendra said after the schedule was announced on Monday.
“Japan is a rising team in Asia and are capable of surprising any team. Korea too are a good team, play very defensive hockey.”
India defeated Pakistan in the final of the 2014 Asian Games to win gold and an Olympic berth.
“I expect the team to be hungry to win gold again and get direct qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games. There will be no room for complacency,” he asserted.
The women’s team has been placed in Pool B alongside holders Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Pool A features China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong China and Chinese Taipei.
The women open their campaign against hosts Indonesia on August 19, followed by Kazakhstan (Aug 21), Korea (Aug 25) and Thailand (Aug 27). Indian women team settled for bronze in 2014.
“Korea will be our toughest challenge. We have played quite a few matches against them this year and are aware of how they play,” Marijne said.
MEN CLIMB TO 5TH SPOT
India have climbed a rung to fifth position in the men’s hockey world rankings issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday.
India made the move by virtue of runner-up finish at the Champions Trophy in Breda. Champions Trophy winners Australia remained on top (1906 points) ahead of Argentina (1883), Belgium (1709) and Netherlands (1654). With 1484 points, India pushed Germany (1456) to sixth position.